<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION FROM THE FORM 10-Q OF
HOWELL CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                            6194
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    60353
<ALLOWANCES>                                       217
<INVENTORY>                                       3304
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 72241
<PP&E>                                          401539
<DEPRECIATION>                                  205083
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  269481
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            72761
<BONDS>                                          98173
<COMMON>                                          4922
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        690
<OTHER-SE>                                       72458
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    269481
<SALES>                                         494256
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                494256
<CGS>                                           474522
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   474522
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                5029
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   5717
<INCOME-TAX>                                      2043
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  0
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      3674
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .38